Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Wind decreased 30 minutes ago,but up to that point it was a training course for the
new crew in fast

sailing!

Atmidnight last
night (just after despatch of the last blog) we decided togybe towards the south westerly wind band that we
hoped lied ahead. Withina couple
of hours we were sailing it in giving us boat speed of 6 to 8knots in wind of similar strength!

Our day
started out like many days on Grey Power. Muster the team around afresh cup of coffee and a cigarette (know on
board as a biddy - not sure ofthe
spelling mind you) and then discuss the day ahead. We let out a reef tohave the full main and we prepared the gennaker
on the basis that we weregoing to
hoist it after breakfast but eventually the wind direction did not

justify
it so we continued to sail under full main and jib.

Our
morning was one of reading, sleep and planning the minor maintenanceahead and given the good health of the crew, our
captain did not allocateda
lunchtime ration of citrus.

Mid
afternoon, we engaged turbo. By now we are in a well establishedwesterly breeze of 14 to 18 knots and Grey Power
picked up her skirts anddecided
to shift a gear. With sprays coming of the stern, we have beensailing for the last five hours at speeds consistently
in excess of 12knots and as fast
as 16.5 knots. According to my esteemed colleagues onboard this is Grey Power's sweet spot and what we will
hope to havebringing her home in
a couple of weeks time.

For the
un-initiated - at first this is a bit daunting - outrunning 600feet cargo ships because of our speed while water
comes down from the bowto the
cockpit. But we feel safe. The cockpit is secure and although we aresitting there in T-shirts and shorts taking the
occasional wave over our

heads
(yes we are soaked but not cold) we smile as our ETA as now likely tobeFriday rather
thanSaturday orSunday.

As per
tradition, happy hour was duly declared at18h00 and
citrus rationsimposed on all. Unfortunately
the bottom of the first cup was diluted withsalt water (choice words of skipper not to be repeated
here), a secondration was
ordered. This time, despite water running down one's spine, themedicine was kept dry and stowed safely away.

According
to our weather forecast, we should be having this wind foranother 24 hours so with a bit of luck we can maintain
our 12 knots plusspeed. A second
reef might be needed in due course but in the meantime,Grey Power is truly showing us what she is capable of.
Comfort and speed

with the
occasional cockpit shower!!

As of20h00 local
timetonight, we believe we have entered the gulf stream.We are currently being pushed easterly (off course by
20 degrees) and itfeels warm and
muggy. According to our software, the stream should changedirection to northerly in about 50 miles
bringing us on course but